Proverbs 19:3 - A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LordIt has amazed me how many people i have heard grumbling and complaining against God for situations that come in their lives. Why Lord, Why? is a question that is often asked in circumstances of less joy. There are terrorists attacks affecting all social strata of the society and people are questioning God as to why does He allow these things to happen.The proverb quoted holds the answer to the question. Man in his FOLLY (foolishness) has brought about pain into his own life and society. The solution is to turn away from folly and follow wisdom. Proverbs 8:35 says that if we seek wisdom, we shall receive life and favour from the Lord. The source of wisdom is the Lord Almighty (Proverbs 2:6). Job says the fear of the Lord is wisdom (Job 28:28). Look around today into the destruction and darkness in this world. You will notice that the underlying reason of most of the world's problem starts with a lack of fear of God. Man has begun to live for the moment and in satisfying his pleasures and desires gives the least considertion to fellow brothers and sisters placed in this world by God Almighty, the Father of all.Do you want to know how to fear God? Start walking with Him. Get to know Him. Love Him nd you will know what it is to fear the Lord. As we enjoy His grace and mercy, we cannot help but stand in awe of this loving father. He is simple and seeks simple things. All He says to you today is Love with everything you've got just the way He has demonstrated His love for us by making a way, through His son Jesus, to get close to Him. As we love him, He shall shower upon us "Every good and perfect gift" (James 1:17). Alittle higher up the passage, we read that God gives wisdom to those who ask in abundant measure!Let us pray to God and ask Him today for His wisdom, for He has called us who are follish to confound those who are wise. They will be confounded not because we are the best counsellors or advisors but they are confounded because through God's wisdom operating in us, we demonstrate that we have a sure foundation that will stand though the thunder clpas or the lighting strikes or the storms rage around us. Our house shall not fall, our fire shall not die, our seeds shall sprout to produce in plenty and te oil shall not run dry. But there is rejoicing in the house of Israel amidst the travail in the land for Egypt as lost their firstborn, but Israel is waking up to the dawn of Freedom. Rejoice in the Lord my soul and rejoice forever more for the Lord is my hope, he's my fortress, he's my deliverer in Him will i trust!
Shalom!
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Is I am that I am your King?
Recently I got the privilege of taking a substitute class at Junior Church. We started to meditate on the time that spanned exodus across judges and till Kings. This time period holds the story of 3 generations of Israelites and it amazes the way God works in their life and their response to God. The nation of Israel was formally formed while in slavery under the Egyptians. The forefathers enjoyed the luxuries of Egypt with the support of their brother Joseph. As the descendants increased, the bible says that Egypt receives a new Pharaoh who had no idea of Joseph and reigned over nearly 6 million people that had a different language and rituals than the Egyptians. Insecurity leads the Pharaoh to put the Hebrews under oppression. With that in the background, let’s look at the 3 generations of Israelites. The 1st generation are those who physically felt the heavy hand of an oppressing regime and cries out to the God of their forefathers (Exo 3:7-10). God raises Moses to bring them out and they become witnesses to the mighty judgment of God upon the Egyptians through the 10 plagues and the signs and wonders that follow as they leave Egypt – The parting of the red sea, the manna and quail, the bitter water turned sweet, the water from the rock and the provision of the ten commandments. They also walked in the presence of God who was a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. But still they chose to contend with God and grumble and murmur at silly things with absolutely no trust in Him. This forced God to destroy them in the wilderness without bringing them to the land that was promised to them. But God raised a 2nd generation who heard of His mighty hand of deliverance. To them He gave possession of the land. The 2nd Generation is the one that fought the most battles and emerged the most victorious. They trusted in God to bring down the walls of Jericho, to keep the sun still till they got their victory and to take up their inheritance in the promised land. But they had one fault. They forgot to train up their children in the ways of the Lord and His laws. They forgot to tell the next generation of the victories they had and how God led their fathers out of Egypt. Their relationship with God lasted as long as the leadership of Joshua and then we see it crumbling down in the book of Judges (Judges 2:10 – 18). Thus comes the 3rd generation, a people who followed not the commandments of God but followed the culture and traditions of the people around them. It is this generation that completely ceases to accept the Lordship of God over their nation and demands for a king thereby rejecting God (I Samuel 8:7-22). What a sad state of affairs! The very people whom God had called His own people and Holy nation and chosen generation (Exodus 19: 5-6) have now rejected His sovereignty over them.My idea of explaining this is not to remind us of what we have already learned in our Sunday school or bible classes, but to challenge ourselves and see if we fall in any of these generational categories – 1. The 1st Generation – Are we constantly complaining the moment we have hardship and treat God like a butler who has to answer the moment we want him to do something for us and then forget his kindness? Are we telling God we will serve Him only if He gives us what we want instead of accepting what He wants for our lives?2. The 2nd Generation – Are we a people who have received the fulfillment of God’s promises and have failed to lead our generation to Him that they might live in obedience to Him?3. The 3rd Generation – Are we a people who have rejected the sovereignty of God in our lives and been satisfied with pleasures that the world offers? Have we submitted ourselves to the rulers of the world system (Economical, Religious & Social)? I am not saying rebel against the world system but do you compromise your beliefs and principles to accommodate the standards laid down by the socio – economical environments?God was rejected once, but now He says “Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord”(Romans 10:9), and you will be His children and nation once again (IPeter2:9). Even as the world systems crumble and fail, nature groans in agony as the signs of the coming of our Lord becoming more evident, Let me encourage you my brothers and sisters, learn from the mistakes of the Israelites and commit ourselves to be a part of God’s Kingdom by accepting His Lordship over our lives and our household.
Shalom!
Shalom!
Are we noble?
Acts 17:11 – Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures everyday to see if what Paul said was true.There are two words that I would like to bring your attention to as you read this article. Eagerness: Keen or ardent in desire or feeling; impatiently longingExamine: To inspect or scrutinize carefullyHow is it that we approach the word of God in our daily lives? When we come for our services how do we approach the word of God? Are we thinking, Oh God, let that 15 or 20 minutes go quickly so that we can go home and sleep? Do we receive the word of God with an ardent desire instead of just plain desire? Do we come to hear God’s word with just a longing or with impatient longing?Do you inspect the word of God spoken from the pulpit and scrutinize carefully to see if it is in line with the written word of God? Do we go back and meditate on what has been spoken within the limited time available in a service and ask God to reveal more of what we have heard as we meditate on His word?Each word in the Bible has been inspired by the Holy Ghost and it is important for us to understand the intensity that the author is trying to reflect within the limitations of our language.Before I close, let me show you a few scriptures from the Bible and let us examine ourselves, if our lives reflect the same passion for the things of God. Let us take time and read the following passages:1. Acts 20:7-12 – Are we like Eutychus or are we like the people who gave up their sleep and sat all throughout the night just to hear God’s word?2. Matthew 22:29 – Do we know the scriptures that we might not err?3. Deuteronomy 17:9-11 – It is the job of the priests to teach the Law (the Word of God)4. 1 Peter 2:9 – Are you a priest? Can we then be satisfied by what we hear from the Pulpit alone?This article is not written for us to read and put away. This article is for us to examine our lives and answer each question sincerely and honestly for God sees our thoughts. If as a church we can commit ourselves to being passionate about the word of God, then we will not just see spiritual growth personally but we will also witness a growth in the body of Christ as you fulfill your calling as priests in the family of God. Then in God’s eyes we will be counted noble!
Shalom!
Shalom!
The Message from the Angels!
Its another wonderful Christmas day! As I sit at the coffee shop, I wonder if we truly understand the beauty of this day. So many of us are stuck in just doing things just because that was how it has been done and thus have lost the essence of the plot. I am amazed that we take so much of time to learn why we shouldn’t celebrate Christmas and ignore to celebrate the arrival of Christ into the world. We are caught up in fighting about the day rather than the event.But Christmas, whichever day it was, 2000 years ago hosted an event so magnificient and so unique that never has there been a night such as this ever again in the history of mankind. The Saviour of the world humbled himself and became human to live among us.The arrival of Jesus was announced ever since the fall of man by various prophets. But we are going to take a look at specific announcements preceding Christmas day and see what message do they hold for us. Matthew and Luke are the two gospel writers who chronicle the announcement of the birth of Christ. While Matthew focuses his attention on Joseph, Luke traces the events as it occurs to Mary. While Matthew records the lineage of Jesus through Joseph, Luke follows the trail along Mary’s family tree all the way back to King David and Adam, the first man. Therefore both the writers stick to the divine announcement of the birth of Christ from the perspective that was revealed to them. The chronological order of the announcements can be seen by studying the two books together.The first announcement of Christ’s birth (Luke 1:26 – 38) comes to Mary, when her relative Elizabeth is 6 months pregnant with John, the prophet who would prepare the way for the Lord Jesus. Mary is greeted by the Angel Gabriel who calls Mary highly favoured of the Lord. There is a wonderful message here. It was because Mary found favour with God that Jesus came into her life. The bible does not speak of Mary as an extraordinary individual to have deserved favour. In here, we see the evidence of God’s grace upon an ordinary individual. The same holds true for us. The bible teaches us that it was not we who first chose Him, but Christ chose us while we were still sinners, weak and foolish and poured out His favour on us that we would be able to receive Him into our lives. (John 15:16; Romans 5:8)And when Jesus comes into our life, He does not come to get a small corner but He comes to establish His throne. In other words, He comes to be our King and to rule over us. For when He comes into our life, we become the house of Jacob. We are the Israel of the new covenant. When Jesus comes into our life, (Luke 1:32 & 33)Luke 1:35 -37 further reveals the work of the Holy Spirit in the birthing process. The Holy Spirit will overshadow Mary and she shall give birth to Christ. In the new covenant, the Holy Spirit continues to does the same. The Holy Spirit overshadows or when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, there is a new birth experience that takes place where you are born of the Spirit. This is the born again experience where you are born out of the work of the Holy Spirit. (John 3:5-8) Those who are thus born of the Spirit are the only ones who can claim to be the sons of God. (Romans 8:14-16) We also see that the sign that the angel gives Mary a reassurance that the message is true by telling her that her aging relative who was known as barren has now become fruitful. This is what Jesus does. He makes that which is barren fruitful. So if we have Jesus in us not only shall we be fruitful but those around us will start being fruitful. For this was what God desired for man during the time of creation – that man be fruitfulAnd to all these wonderful words, Mary demonstrates the acceptable response that God expects from us too – Let it be to me according to Your word. We see this response in all the great men that God has used right from our Lord Jesus who prays, “Not my will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42) to Paul who desires that “no longer I who live but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The next person that the Angel appears to is Joseph. Joseph is in a quandary when he finds the woman he loves and is betrothed to is found with child. Normal reaction would be a lot of noise, public humiliation of a woman with child out of wedlock and for those times probably even death by stoning. But Joseph was a just man and, though he knew he would be supported by the society in his decision to ostracize Mary, decides to put the matter to rest without the fireworks. At this crossroad of decision making is where Joseph has a divine visitation. The angel of the Lord quells his fears and announces that the child shall save the world. The angel of the Lord instructs Joseph on the name by which the Child shall be addressed. The bible gives a lot of importance to names. For as a person is addressed, power is spoken to his life. We see that when God starts to do a new thing, He first starts addressing the person He uses with a name that will from then onwards become his identity and purpose. All throughout biblical history we read of Abram, Sarai, Jacob, Saul and other men of faith whose identities were changed by God and then again, there are people who came into this world with specific purposes for whom God reveals the names to their parents and the list includes Isaac, John, Jesus and so on. And so today as we bow to His Lordship and accept Him, He will change our names and will call us by His name (Acts 15:17)Finally, we see a group of shepherds experiencing the divine visitation to announce the birth of Christ. The message of the angels was simple and straight. I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” This is the message that we are to share with people as we witness – that they have a Savior and He is accessible to all. This was the sign that the baby would be a commoner. The Savior does not have political legacy or money power but the Savior would be one who would be able to identify with all people aving travelled through life as a human, He is now exalted at the right hand of God worthy of being the High Priest who can mediate on our behalf (Hebrews 2:17 & 18) The angels continue and burst into a heavenly song, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”[Yes, when Jesus comes, He brings in the Kingdom where there is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). For He came to give us peace, the peace not as the world gives but peace from heaven which surpasseth all understanding (Philippians 4:7). I’d like to summarize my thoughts and bring it closer home. My friends, if you do not believe, I’d like to invite you to give your heart to Jesus and he shall bring the fragrance that’s been missing back into your life. He shall remove every uncertainly and fill you with hope, righteousness, peace and joy in such measure that the world cannot steal it from you.If you are a believer then it is time to consider how much have you allowed Jesus to work in you.Answer the following questions privately and see where your relationship with Christ is going. Is it going in the direction of the wise virgins, who waited, watched, slumbered but also paid the price to follow Jesus or are we walking like the foolish virgins who went through the motions of waiting, watching and slumber but when the tire hit the road realized that there was a cost, the lamps had to burn but there was no more oil?1. Do we still find favour with God in our lives?2. Has His throne been established in our lives?3. Are we born of the Spirit and do we continue to walk in the Spirit?4. Are we fruitful where God has placed us?5. When God speaks to us in various ways, what is our response to Him?6. What is our identity today? Are we called by God’s name or are we known by our wordly identities?7. When was the last time we met with our Savior? Are we running to Him or away from Him when the cares of the world haunt us?8. Finally, are we truly demonstrating the power of the Kingdom of God through our life that the world will see there’s no other name but the name of Jesus who is worthy of Glory, worthy of Honour and worthy of all power and praise.
Shalom!
Shalom!
Our Children - Our Talent
Psalms 127: 3 says, Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. If you were to receive a gift from a King, however small a kingdom, you will always cherish the gift. You will maybe buy a special casing to protect it from breaking or being damaged. You hold it in great esteem. You are proud of it. You put it in a place of great prominence within your house and if you have guests, you make it a point to show them the gift.The Word says that our children are the reward that the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and Ruler of the Universe, our God himself has given our children to us. If that is the case, how much should we as parents esteem our child? They have been carefully formed by God (Psalms 139:13-16) and entrusted to us that we can look after them for him. They are the talents that have been given to all of us by God. Some of us think that the talent mentioned in Matthew 25 is only about spiritual gift or money. And we comfort ourselves by saying that we have none so God give me some. But how many of look at our children and say, “Lord, give me the grace to be faithful with this talent you have given to me and help me to guide him towards fulfilling his purpose in Your kingdom”? God forms each child with a calling and a purpose (Jer 1:5) and each child is born with unique gifts, nature, interests and skills that will help him achieve that calling and purpose. God expects us to guide our child to God to realize their potential. This can happen only if we are able to hear from God concerning the decisions we take for our children.Therefore, as it is written in the Word (Genesis 18:19), the Lord has blessed us to be parents to guide our children to Him. If we do so, when our Lord comes, we can give back these talents to Him boldly, as faithful stewards of His gift.
Shalom!
Shalom!
Dining with Jesus!
Revelation 3: 20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.This verse has three parts to it. The first part says, Behold I stand at the door and knock,The second part says, If any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to himThe third part says, And I will sup with him and he with meThe first part is mostly used at altar calls to call forth those who have not yet believed in the Lord to accept Him and be saved. The Bible puts a strong emphasis on a man’s heart. Jesus said, “It is not what goes into the man that defiles him but what comes out of a man that defiles him” (Matthew 15:11&18). Hence Jesus is interested in your heart because His task of making you clean, pure and holy can be accomplished only if He has your heart. Therefore, we must give every area of our heart to Jesus. Don’t limit the areas of His influence in your life. Because when He does something He likes to do a perfect job which He will not be able to accomplish if your commitment to Him is partial and limited. Jesus comes and waits knocking at the door of your heart. He knocks in different ways – sometimes it is when you are reading some Christian literature or the Bible, sometimes it is through a Christian leader or friend, sometimes it is through an event or circumstance in your life and sometimes it could be a dream or an audible voice. Whatever it may be, it will be heard and recognized by you. This is why the word knocking is used here. The “knocking” will be loud enough for you to hear and take note.Your response to the “knock” is the second part. It is here that people get separated into two groups. One group hears the “knock”, recognizes it and chooses to ignore while the other hears the “knock”, recognizes it and choose to open the door. The second part highlights the CHOICE we make in our heart and the corresponding ACTION. Every choice has an action. If you heard and chose to ignore that is an action. If you heard and opened the door, that again is an action in response. Therefore in the first phase, you heard the “knock” in your heart, in the second phase, you make a choice in your heart which determines your response.The moment you make the choice to respond by opening the door, you begin to whole heartedly surrender. This is the moment of salvation. The Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the One who knows the end from the beginning enters the house to begin his work of restoration, fruitfulness and multiplication in your life. He restores life to your spirit thereby bringing fruitfulness in your spiritual walk as a christian and multiplication for your physical existence as a human being.By the second phase, you have been saved and have become a Christian and now you are the church. And it is at this point that the Spirit writes to the church and introduces the third phase of dining with the Lord. The third phase is applicable only once you become a believer. One who has not undergone the salvation experience of hearing and opening cannot experience the dining!The dining experience talks about a deeper relationship with God. It is not just the Friday service, it is not just the Monday intercessory prayer but it is a constant hunger for the presence and the Word of God that the Spirit is revealing to the Church. A feast or a ready table in the Word of God shows the blessing and reward of God. Psalms 23 says, He shall prepare a TABLE before my enemies; Psalms 128 says, your children will be like olive shoots around your TABLE, behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord; The man who heard the “knock”, while on the cross next to Jesus, responded and Jesus said to him “Today you will be with me in paradise”. So it is not enough that we allow Jesus into our life and leave Him at the door, but we need to get into a deeper relationship with Him where we dine with Him daily. So many times christians are too busy in our schedules to feast with Him. We are happy with the snacks and the appetizers but never take the main course of the feast that Jesus has prepared for us. If we are existing only on the Word we received on Fridays, my friends we are heading toward spiritual anorexia. Size Zero is definitely not fashionable in the spiritual realm. So what are we to eat with Christ? We have to eat the Word of God. Jesus says, “For man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”. So as we fellowship with God in the Spirit (Romans 8:16), He will speak into our life and the Word He speaks will become life in us (Hebrews 4:12) and strengthen us to fulfill our calling (2 Timothy 3:16 – 17).God desires us to also eat fresh food. This is a principle of God. He does not like us eating stale food. It will cause indigestion. The journey of the Israelites to Canaan is an example that reflects this desire of God. He provides the Israelites with manna from heaven and commands them to consume it daily and not store up for later. He wanted them to make the effort daily to pick up the manna (Exodus 16:19-21). He wants us to make an effort to dine with him daily and not rely on yesterday’s revelation to survive today. What was given yesterday was good for yesterday, for today we need to get out of our tent (busy schedules) and make the effort to sit down for a full meal to keep us going in this journey to our promised land.
SHALOM!
SHALOM!
What is your mind full of?
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.When God created man, He created him with a mind of his own. Our mind has the ability to accumulate information and use it in a manner appropriate for various situations and circumstances in our life. What we intake and store in our brain equips us for life. God does not regulate what we put in our minds and He leaves it completely to our choice. This is called FREE WILL. But very few people know how to use the FREE WILL effectively and thus end up using their minds as a garbage bin. The bible teaches us to look to God who is the source of wisdom for guidance. Since most people hold a narrow short term perspective on life that does not often go beyond eat, drink and be merry, they fill their hearts and minds with junk that is only useful within the finite boundaries of time. Hence a lot of people are confused because the clutter in their minds cannot be put together into any logical fashion to explain the reason for their existence. But Paul teaches in Colossians that we need to set our hearts on the things above and have an eternal perspective that we might be able to input data into our minds that will equip and prepare us not just for the life here but for life in eternity.It is important, therefore, that we know what exactly it is that we are feeding on in order to ensure we are not defiling ourselves. Our mind should be used as a treasure chest to hold the pearls (wisdom) of God and not the as the garbage bag for the world to dump into. The passage in Philippians tells us what exactly we need to fill our minds and our hearts with. It is the Word of God! For there is nothing more true, more honourable, more pure, lovely or commendable than God’s word.Like Paul instructs Timothy, as you read this make the commitment to shun profane and idle babblings that increases ungodliness and avoid foolish and ignorant disputes that generate strife and choose to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
SHALOM!
SHALOM!
Second Coming of Jesus!
Jesus promised His disciples He would come again. John 14:1-3, TLB. "Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in Me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with Me where I am. If this weren't so, I would tell you plainly. And you know where I am going and how to get there."The angels promised Jesus would come again. Acts 1:10-11, TLB. "It was not long afterwards that He rose into the sky and disappeared into a cloud, leaving them staring after Him. As they were straining their eyes for another glimpse, suddenly two white-robed men were standing there among them, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has gone away to heaven, and some day, just as He went, He will return!'"How will Jesus come again? Luke 21:27, NIV. "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."How many will see Him when He comes? Revelation 1:7, NIV. "Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him."What will we see and hear when He comes? I Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV. "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."How visible is His coming to be? Matthew 24:27, NIV. "For as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man."What warning has Christ given so we won't be fooled about the second coming? Matthew 24:23-26, NIV. "At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ! or 'There He is! do not believe it. For false Christ's and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, 'There He is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here He is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it."Does anyone know the exact time of Christ's coming? Matthew 24:36, NIV. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."Knowing how human it is to procrastinate, what does Christ tell us to do? Matthew 24:42, NIV. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."What warning has Christ given that we might not be taken by surprise by this great event? Luke 21:34-36, TLB. "Watch out! Don't let My sudden coming catch you unawares; don't let Me find you living in careless ease, carousing and drinking, and occupied with the problems of this life, like all the rest of the world. Keep a constant watch."Why is Jesus second coming taking so long? II Peter 3:8-9, TLB. "But don't forget this, dear friends, that a day or a thousand years from now is like tomorrow to the Lord. He isn't really being slow about His promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But He is waiting, for the good reason that He is not willing that any should perish, and He is giving more time for sinners to repent."While we wait for Jesus, how should we live? Titus 2:11-14, NIV. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."What will the world be like when Jesus comes? Matthew 24:37-39, NIV. "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."Will Christ's coming be a time of reward? Matthew 16:27 and Revelation 22:12, NIV. "For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done." "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."Why is Jesus coming back? Hebrews 9:28, TLB. "So also Christ died only once as an offering for the sins of many people; and He will come again, but not to deal again with our sins. This time He will come bringing salvation to all those who are eagerly and patiently waiting for Him."At Jesus' second coming, we will fully experience the reality of our salvation. , I Corinthians 1:7-8, TLB. "Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing His will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And He guarantees right up to the end that you will be counted free from all sin and guilt on that day when He returns."
Shalom!
Shalom!
Arrows in the hands of a warrior!
The bible records that our children are “like arrows in the hands of a warrior” (Psalms 127:4). Arrows in the hands of a warrior are useless if, 1. They are used for the wrong reasons2. They are not sharpened3. The warrior lacks the skill to direct themImagine using an arrow as a fork to eat your food or using an arrow to show directions on the road. This is what happens when we force our children to pursue goals not in line with God’s call on their lives. They are useful but lack accomplishment. That is, an arrow as a fork is useful in getting food to my mouth or to show direction but doesn’t accomplish anything because it is not used for its primary purpose which is to strike down the enemy.Look around and you will see a lot of people feeling utterly exhausted and with no passion in life. They are living but yet not living. Why? They have ended up becoming direction signs than weapons to reckon with.The lack of sharpening happens when we, parents, understand and realize the calling of God but despise or discourage them from exercising it because of our selfish ambitions and plans for our children. We need to ask ourselves how many times we have encouraged our children to give priority to study, to expound and to apply the scriptures in their life. Only this will help them lead a life of example to others (1 Timothy 4:12,13). Shouldn’t that be our desire, that our children are role models to others?Thirdly, arrows become ineffective when the warrior is not skilled and sends them in the wrong direction. Often this happens, when parents do not have the patience nor inclination to ask God for guidance on how to bring up their child in accordance to the will of God. Parents play a very crucial role in directing their children to God. Judges 2:10 mentions a generation that did not know their God. This lack of knowledge led them to be a nation that was oppressed by the very people whose hearts melted in fear before their parents in Joshua 5:1. The reason? The arrows were flying but they were flying in the wrong direction. The enemy was not scared nor were the people living a life of victory because the warriors lost their sense of direction. This is what happens if we, as parents, do not acquire guidance from the Lord on how to bring up our children. There is no point in searching the internet, watching Dr. Phil or reading all the books you can get, if you do not seek the wisdom of God to parent your child. In many ways parenting can be akin to a king ruling a country. Rule in love and wisdom from God and you will never have to repent or be ashamed of your child. Rule with an iron fist and from selfish ambition and you will see them rebel just as the people of Israel rebelled against the rule of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. We need to pray to God just like King Solomon did and ask Him for the skills to direct our arrows in the right direction.Finally to conclude, we need to understand that the arrows are our property but we do not determine their purpose because their purpose was already determined by the one who fashioned them (Psalms 139:13-17, Jeremiah 1:5). SHALOM
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Wind and Wave!
You might be thinking what a queer title is "Wind & Wave". The characteristic of wind is that it is a force. The characteristic of a wave is that it is the result of the force upon the the matter. Everything we can see produces a wave when a force acts upon it. But the wave in a solid is not visible as we see in liquid or in gas. The reason is because particles in solids are closely bound and move less as opposed to particles in liquids and gas, where the cohesiveness or the binding between the particles is weak and so they freely move around as the force acts upon them.
So why this interest in winds and waves all of a sudden? Well the bible speaks about both with respect to our spiritual walk.
In John 3:7 & 8 Jesus says, "You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again." The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound but you cannot tell where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit". The disciple James writes in the epistle of James 1:6, "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind"
The wind represents power. It shakes everything in its path. It has an influence and an impact. This is what God wants us to be. Even as we believe in His Son Jesus Christ, receive the Holy Spirit into our life and walk under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God's power becomes demonstrated in and through our life. It is the power that will make valleys of mountains that stands before us. It is the force that makes the crooked paths straight. As we read in John, a born again christian (one who is born into Christ by sanctification through the word and anointed to serve by the power of the Holy Spirit) is likened to a the wind. He is known not because of his charisma, charm or any visual characteristic, but he is known by the power that he carries which transforms the lives around him.
On the other hand the wave rides on the power of the wind. When the wind blows it lifts itself up, but dies as the wind moves on. We see a lot of christians like this. There is a lot of revival in their life when ministers of God come to town. There is fellowship, worship, bible study, in fact they are so energised that they will come to church all 7 days of the week. But the day after the wind (man of God) moves on they disappear just like the wave. You will praise God if they come for the Friday service. Because of this nature, they are not strong in their faith and beliefs. They do not have a personal relationship with God and do not know if God can really answer their prayer. They faith is riddled with the bullet holes of doubt!!! Jesus taught and said, "Therefore i tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours"
Today what will you be - a wind or a wave?
So why this interest in winds and waves all of a sudden? Well the bible speaks about both with respect to our spiritual walk.
In John 3:7 & 8 Jesus says, "You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again." The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound but you cannot tell where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit". The disciple James writes in the epistle of James 1:6, "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind"
The wind represents power. It shakes everything in its path. It has an influence and an impact. This is what God wants us to be. Even as we believe in His Son Jesus Christ, receive the Holy Spirit into our life and walk under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God's power becomes demonstrated in and through our life. It is the power that will make valleys of mountains that stands before us. It is the force that makes the crooked paths straight. As we read in John, a born again christian (one who is born into Christ by sanctification through the word and anointed to serve by the power of the Holy Spirit) is likened to a the wind. He is known not because of his charisma, charm or any visual characteristic, but he is known by the power that he carries which transforms the lives around him.
On the other hand the wave rides on the power of the wind. When the wind blows it lifts itself up, but dies as the wind moves on. We see a lot of christians like this. There is a lot of revival in their life when ministers of God come to town. There is fellowship, worship, bible study, in fact they are so energised that they will come to church all 7 days of the week. But the day after the wind (man of God) moves on they disappear just like the wave. You will praise God if they come for the Friday service. Because of this nature, they are not strong in their faith and beliefs. They do not have a personal relationship with God and do not know if God can really answer their prayer. They faith is riddled with the bullet holes of doubt!!! Jesus taught and said, "Therefore i tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours"
Today what will you be - a wind or a wave?
SHALOM!
Monday, 22 June 2009
Are you living in fear?
I was imagining my life 10 - 15 years ago going through school and college. I had no passwords in my life that i had to prevent from being hacked, we left our cars and houses open without the fear of being broken into, we ate from the roadside food stalls without fear of food poisoning from chemicals and we walked with the crowds without the fear of catching swine flu. So what has happened to us now? Why so much fear and anxiety?
Fear has been slowly choking our societies like thorns that chokes the Word from God (Luke 8:14). Fear controls. Fear makes us immobile. Fear brings distrust. Fear brings hatred. Fear makes us unproductive. Fear is the manure for selfishness. Fear holds back and never gives. But why is there so much fear?
In 1John 4:18, we read, "There is no fear in LOVE, but LOVE drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
My son Jadon is afraid of the dark, but if either my wife or i am in the room, he becomes his own naughty self, even if the room is still dark. The room was still dark, it still had all the weird beings that he conjured up in his imagination, but the difference was his confidence in the love of his parents to protect him from trouble. He is not worried or ask questions on the origin and expiry of the food we give him, he does not ask for certificates of my vaccinations to ensure i'm disease free, neither has he locked up his toys from being stolen from the house!!! Now we all were like this once upon a time. Then what happened? World systems and its education put fear into our heart because that was the only way mankind can be controlled. They taught us our parents were incompetent to protect us from the advanced weapons, latest technology and mutant viruses that threaten our life. They taught us to believe that there is no God and we are doomed to the theory of the "survival of the fittest".
But God says perfect love removes fear. What is the source of this perfect love? God says through his prophet Jeremiah,"I have loved you with an everlasting love; i have drawn you with loving kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3). Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this : while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 1 John 3:1 - "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!"
Today you might be living in different kind of fears:
1. Social Fears - The fears that everyone around is out to harm us.
2. Religious Fears - The fear instilled by religion and religious practices that deny the love and mercy of God.
3. Economic Fears - Fear for ones provision.
4. Relationship fears - Fear of a broken heart.
All of these fears boil down to one - The fear for ones life. My friend the answer to your fear is in God's Word. Jesus says, " I am the resurrection and the Life" (John 14:6) and again in John 10:10, Jesus says,"I have come that they may have life and life to the full".
Do you want to be free from fear? Come to Jesus. He says," It is I, do not be afraid" (John 6:20).
Fear has been slowly choking our societies like thorns that chokes the Word from God (Luke 8:14). Fear controls. Fear makes us immobile. Fear brings distrust. Fear brings hatred. Fear makes us unproductive. Fear is the manure for selfishness. Fear holds back and never gives. But why is there so much fear?
In 1John 4:18, we read, "There is no fear in LOVE, but LOVE drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
My son Jadon is afraid of the dark, but if either my wife or i am in the room, he becomes his own naughty self, even if the room is still dark. The room was still dark, it still had all the weird beings that he conjured up in his imagination, but the difference was his confidence in the love of his parents to protect him from trouble. He is not worried or ask questions on the origin and expiry of the food we give him, he does not ask for certificates of my vaccinations to ensure i'm disease free, neither has he locked up his toys from being stolen from the house!!! Now we all were like this once upon a time. Then what happened? World systems and its education put fear into our heart because that was the only way mankind can be controlled. They taught us our parents were incompetent to protect us from the advanced weapons, latest technology and mutant viruses that threaten our life. They taught us to believe that there is no God and we are doomed to the theory of the "survival of the fittest".
But God says perfect love removes fear. What is the source of this perfect love? God says through his prophet Jeremiah,"I have loved you with an everlasting love; i have drawn you with loving kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3). Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this : while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 1 John 3:1 - "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!"
Today you might be living in different kind of fears:
1. Social Fears - The fears that everyone around is out to harm us.
2. Religious Fears - The fear instilled by religion and religious practices that deny the love and mercy of God.
3. Economic Fears - Fear for ones provision.
4. Relationship fears - Fear of a broken heart.
All of these fears boil down to one - The fear for ones life. My friend the answer to your fear is in God's Word. Jesus says, " I am the resurrection and the Life" (John 14:6) and again in John 10:10, Jesus says,"I have come that they may have life and life to the full".
Do you want to be free from fear? Come to Jesus. He says," It is I, do not be afraid" (John 6:20).
SHALOM!!!
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Father's Day - Will you be the reason for the celebration?
Wishing all the Fathers out there a Happy Father's Day. As a son, i thnk my father for bringing me up and taking care of me, though i could be a relentless pest. As a father, i'm thankful to God for my son and pray for wisdom to be a good dad like my Father has been to me.
Whenever i think of father's my thoughts go to the story of the prodigal son. This is a story most of us can relate to in some manner. We have passed through or are passing through the brash, young, know-what's-good-for-me son, or we might be the accomodating, feel-sorry-for-this kid dad or we might be the goody, self righteous, judgemental elder brother. What i wnt to focus on is the Father's heart.
A father's heart is a mixture of emotions as he plays out his role as the head of the family. He strives to provide for his family and rejoices in giving gifts to his children even if it means he has to sacrifice something. He is angry when his child disobey and rebel against him. He is sad when his experience and guidance is not heeded causing his child to fall. His love and forgiveness knows no end.
Don't you see the similarities between a father's heart and that of God? When God created man in His own image, He also created man with emotions that we might relate to God our Father. The Bible says in Romans 8:15 & 16, that by the Spirit of God, who convicts us of our sin and helps restore our relationship with God, we have been adopted as God's children and by Him we can call God, "Abba Father". 2 Corinthians 6:18 says, "I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty"
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave (sacrificed) His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life"; 1 John 3:1 says "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, tht we should be called children of God". James 1:17 says," Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
I want to encourage you today. This Father's day will you come to the Father who has been waiting for you? Luke 15: 20 says, "But while he was a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Don't feel guilty about what you have done, our Father is full of compassion. In Psalms 36, we read, "Your love, Oh Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies!"
So come today, leave your troubles behind, come to your father for He has a feast prepared just for you and the heavens will rejoice because of you. Our Father will say " But we had to celebrate and be glad, because my son was dead and now he is alive again; he was lost but now he has been found!" (Luke 15:32)
Shalom!
Whenever i think of father's my thoughts go to the story of the prodigal son. This is a story most of us can relate to in some manner. We have passed through or are passing through the brash, young, know-what's-good-for-me son, or we might be the accomodating, feel-sorry-for-this kid dad or we might be the goody, self righteous, judgemental elder brother. What i wnt to focus on is the Father's heart.
A father's heart is a mixture of emotions as he plays out his role as the head of the family. He strives to provide for his family and rejoices in giving gifts to his children even if it means he has to sacrifice something. He is angry when his child disobey and rebel against him. He is sad when his experience and guidance is not heeded causing his child to fall. His love and forgiveness knows no end.
Don't you see the similarities between a father's heart and that of God? When God created man in His own image, He also created man with emotions that we might relate to God our Father. The Bible says in Romans 8:15 & 16, that by the Spirit of God, who convicts us of our sin and helps restore our relationship with God, we have been adopted as God's children and by Him we can call God, "Abba Father". 2 Corinthians 6:18 says, "I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty"
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave (sacrificed) His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life"; 1 John 3:1 says "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, tht we should be called children of God". James 1:17 says," Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
I want to encourage you today. This Father's day will you come to the Father who has been waiting for you? Luke 15: 20 says, "But while he was a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Don't feel guilty about what you have done, our Father is full of compassion. In Psalms 36, we read, "Your love, Oh Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies!"
So come today, leave your troubles behind, come to your father for He has a feast prepared just for you and the heavens will rejoice because of you. Our Father will say " But we had to celebrate and be glad, because my son was dead and now he is alive again; he was lost but now he has been found!" (Luke 15:32)
Shalom!
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Death - The Leveller
Even as i am saddened by the tragic death of three innocent children in UAE, through food poisoning in the last 3 weeks, my thoughts went to the poem "Death the Leveller" by James Shirley, which i had learnt in school. An excerpt from the poem goes as thus:
"Death lays his icy hand on kings:
Sceptre and Crown
Must tumble down,
And in the dust be equal made
With the poor crookèd scythe and spade."
Death is a reality and one that all people, rich and poor, young and old, tall and short, white and black, will come face to face at some point of time. There is no escape. How one faces death and the sorrows of separation will depend on what we believe is yet to come. There is no one who has cheated death but one. He is the one who said " I am the resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies". The Bible says that "the grave has been conquered and death has lost its sting", for Jesus has overcome.
When we believe in Jesus, we enter into eternal life for the Bible says in John 3:16, "all who believes in Him shall have life everlasting". When Christ comes into our life, death loses its grasp over us. We start walking in God's purpose and then we will die only after we accomplish what Christ wants to do through us. Then we approach death not with fear and sorrow but with galdness and joy, for death shall be just like sleep. We shall slumber for a moment and wake up to presence of God. In John 5:28, we read " do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out".
There will be a time of judgement and those who are in Christ will join Him forever. My friend, if you are reading this post and you have never thought of death, it is time you did so. It is a reality and if you do not know Jesus, it will "come upon you like a thief in the night". Let me encourage you, give your life to Jesus and He will give you life in abundance. Be free from the fear of death. Live that Jesus may touch many through you. Live that you may comfort the broken hearted. Live that you may bring peace in the midst of chaos. Live that you may proclaim love in the midst of hatred. Live that you may be a light in the darkness. Live that you may declare Life in the midst of death. To close with a few lines from the same poem:
"Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dust."
Shalom!
"Death lays his icy hand on kings:
Sceptre and Crown
Must tumble down,
And in the dust be equal made
With the poor crookèd scythe and spade."
Death is a reality and one that all people, rich and poor, young and old, tall and short, white and black, will come face to face at some point of time. There is no escape. How one faces death and the sorrows of separation will depend on what we believe is yet to come. There is no one who has cheated death but one. He is the one who said " I am the resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies". The Bible says that "the grave has been conquered and death has lost its sting", for Jesus has overcome.
When we believe in Jesus, we enter into eternal life for the Bible says in John 3:16, "all who believes in Him shall have life everlasting". When Christ comes into our life, death loses its grasp over us. We start walking in God's purpose and then we will die only after we accomplish what Christ wants to do through us. Then we approach death not with fear and sorrow but with galdness and joy, for death shall be just like sleep. We shall slumber for a moment and wake up to presence of God. In John 5:28, we read " do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out".
There will be a time of judgement and those who are in Christ will join Him forever. My friend, if you are reading this post and you have never thought of death, it is time you did so. It is a reality and if you do not know Jesus, it will "come upon you like a thief in the night". Let me encourage you, give your life to Jesus and He will give you life in abundance. Be free from the fear of death. Live that Jesus may touch many through you. Live that you may comfort the broken hearted. Live that you may bring peace in the midst of chaos. Live that you may proclaim love in the midst of hatred. Live that you may be a light in the darkness. Live that you may declare Life in the midst of death. To close with a few lines from the same poem:
"Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dust."
Shalom!
Monday, 15 June 2009
An interesting forward - Good lessons for Christians too!
10 Deadly Sins of Negative Thinking
1. I will be happy once I have _____ (or once I earn X).
Problem: If you think you can't be happy until you reach a certain point, or until you reach a certain income, or have a certain type of house or car or computer setup, you'll never be happy. That elusive goal is always just out of reach. Once we reach those goals, we are not satisfied we want more.
Solution: Learn to be happy with what you have, where you are, and who you are, right at this moment. Happiness doesn't have to be some state that we want to get to eventually it can be found right now. Learn to count your blessings, and see the positive in your situation. This might sound simplistic, but it works.
2. I wish I were as ____ as (a celebrity, friend, co-worker).
Problem: We'll never be as pretty, as talented, as rich, as sculpted, as cool, as everyone else. There will always be someone better, if you look hard enough. Therefore, if we compare ourselves to others like this, we will always pale, and will always fail, and will always feel bad about ourselves. This is no way to be happy.
Solution: Stop comparing yourself to others, and look instead at yourself what are your strengths, your accomplishments, your successes, however small? What do you love about yourself? Learn to love who you are, right now, not who you want to become. There is good in each of us, love in each of us, and a wonderful human spirit in every one of us.
3. Seeing others becoming successful makes me jealous and resentful.
Problem: First, this assumes that only a small number of people can be successful. In truth, many, many people can be successful in different ways.
Solution: Learn to admire the success of others, and learn from it, and be happy for them, by empathizing with them and understanding what it must be like to be them. And then turn away from them, and look at yourself you can be successful too, in whatever you choose to do. And even more, you already are successful. Look not at those above you in the social ladder, but those below you there are always millions of people worse off than you, people who couldn't even read this article or afford a computer. In that light, you are a huge success.
4. I am a miserable failure I can't seem to do anything right.
Problem: Everyone is a failure, if you look at it in certain ways. Everyone has failed, many times, at different things. I have certainly failed so many times I cannot count them and I continue to fail, daily. However, looking at your failures as failures only makes you feel bad about yourself. By thinking in this way, we will have a negative self-image and never move on from here.
Solution: See your successes and ignore your failures. Look back on your life, in the last month, or year, or 5 years. And try to remember your successes. If you have trouble with this, start documenting them keep a success journal, either in a notebook or online. Document your success each day, or each week. When you look back at what you've accomplished, over a year, you will be amazed. It's an incredibly positive feeling.
5. I'm going to beat so-and-so no matter what I'm better than him. And there's no way I'll help him succeed he might beat me.
Problem: Competitiveness assumes that there is a small amount of gold to be had, and I need to get it before he does. It makes us into greedy, back-stabbing, hurtful people. We try to claw our way over people to get to success, because of our competitive feelings. For example, if a blogger wants to have more subscribers than another blogger, he may never link to or mention that other blogger. However, who is to say that my subscribers can't also be yours? People can read and subscribe to more than one blog.
Solution: Learn to see success as something that can be shared, and learn that if we help each other out, we can each have a better chance to be successful. Two people working towards a common goal are better than two people trying to beat each other up to get to that goal. There is more than enough success to go around. Learn to think in terms of abundance rather than scarcity.
6. Dammit! Why do these bad things always happen to me?
Problem: Bad things happen to everybody. If we dwell on them, they will frustrate us and bring us down.
Solution: See bad things as a part of the ebb and flow of life. Suffering is a part of the human condition but it passes. All pain goes away, eventually. Meanwhile, don't let it hold you back. Don't dwell on bad things, but look forward towards something good in your future. And learn to take the bad things in stride, and learn from them. Bad things are actually opportunities to grow and learn and get stronger, in disguise.
7. You can't do anything right! Why can't you be like ____ ?
Problem: This can be said to your child or your subordinate or your sibling. The problem? Comparing two people, first of all, is always a fallacy. People are different, with different ways of doing things, different strengths and weaknesses, different human characteristics. If we were all the same, we'd be robots. Second, saying negative things like this to another person never helps the situation. It might make you feel better, and more powerful, but in truth, it hurts your relationship, it will actually make you feel negative, and it will certainly make the other person feel negative and more likely to continue negative behavior. Everyone loses.
Solution: Take the mistakes or bad behavior of others as an opportunity to teach. Show them how to do something. Second, praise them for their positive behavior, and encourage their success. Last, and most important, love them for who they are, and celebrate their differences.
8. Your work sucks. It's super lame. You are dumb and I hope you never reproduce.
Problem: I've actually gotten this comment before. It feels wonderful. However, let's look at it not from the perspective of the person receiving this kind of comment but from the perspective of the person giving it. How does saying something negative like this help you? I guess it might feel good to vent if you feel like your time has been wasted. But really, how much of your time has been wasted? A few minutes? And whose fault is that? The bloggers or yours? In truth, making negative comments just keeps you in a negative mindset. It's also not a good way to make friends.
Solution: Learn to offer constructive solutions, first of all. Instead of telling someone their blog sucks, or that a post is lame, offer some specific suggestions for improvement. Help them get better. If you are going to take the time to make a comment, make it worth your time. Second, learn to interact with people in a more positive way it makes others feel good and it makes you feel better about yourself. And you can make some great friends this way. That's a good thing.
9. Insulting People Back
Problem: If someone insults you or angers you in some way, insulting them back and continuing your anger only transfers their problem to you. This person was probably having a bad day (or a bad year) and took it out on you for some reason. If you reciprocate, you are now having a bad day too. His problem has become yours. Not only that, but the cycle of insults can get worse and worse until it results in violence or other negative consequences for both of you.
Solution: Let the insults or negative comments of others slide off you like Teflon. Don't let their problem become yours. In fact, try to understand their problem more why would someone say something like that? What problems are they going through? Having a little empathy for someone not only makes you understand that their comment is not about you, but it can make you feel and act in a positive manner towards them and make you feel better about yourself in the process.
10. I don't think I can do this I don't have enough discipline. Maybe some other time.
Problem: If you don't think you can do something, you probably won't. Especially for the big stuff. Discipline has nothing to do with it motivation and focus has everything to do with it. And if you put stuff off for “some other time”, you'll never get it done. Negative thinking like this inhibits us from accomplishing anything.
Solution: Turn your thinking around: you can do this! You don't need discipline. Find ways to make yourself a success at your goal. If you fail, learn from your mistakes, and try again. Instead of putting a goal off for later, start now. And focus on one goal at a time, putting all of your energy into it, and getting as much help from others as you can. You can really move mountains if you start with positive thinking.
Ain't the lesson good?!
1. I will be happy once I have _____ (or once I earn X).
Problem: If you think you can't be happy until you reach a certain point, or until you reach a certain income, or have a certain type of house or car or computer setup, you'll never be happy. That elusive goal is always just out of reach. Once we reach those goals, we are not satisfied we want more.
Solution: Learn to be happy with what you have, where you are, and who you are, right at this moment. Happiness doesn't have to be some state that we want to get to eventually it can be found right now. Learn to count your blessings, and see the positive in your situation. This might sound simplistic, but it works.
2. I wish I were as ____ as (a celebrity, friend, co-worker).
Problem: We'll never be as pretty, as talented, as rich, as sculpted, as cool, as everyone else. There will always be someone better, if you look hard enough. Therefore, if we compare ourselves to others like this, we will always pale, and will always fail, and will always feel bad about ourselves. This is no way to be happy.
Solution: Stop comparing yourself to others, and look instead at yourself what are your strengths, your accomplishments, your successes, however small? What do you love about yourself? Learn to love who you are, right now, not who you want to become. There is good in each of us, love in each of us, and a wonderful human spirit in every one of us.
3. Seeing others becoming successful makes me jealous and resentful.
Problem: First, this assumes that only a small number of people can be successful. In truth, many, many people can be successful in different ways.
Solution: Learn to admire the success of others, and learn from it, and be happy for them, by empathizing with them and understanding what it must be like to be them. And then turn away from them, and look at yourself you can be successful too, in whatever you choose to do. And even more, you already are successful. Look not at those above you in the social ladder, but those below you there are always millions of people worse off than you, people who couldn't even read this article or afford a computer. In that light, you are a huge success.
4. I am a miserable failure I can't seem to do anything right.
Problem: Everyone is a failure, if you look at it in certain ways. Everyone has failed, many times, at different things. I have certainly failed so many times I cannot count them and I continue to fail, daily. However, looking at your failures as failures only makes you feel bad about yourself. By thinking in this way, we will have a negative self-image and never move on from here.
Solution: See your successes and ignore your failures. Look back on your life, in the last month, or year, or 5 years. And try to remember your successes. If you have trouble with this, start documenting them keep a success journal, either in a notebook or online. Document your success each day, or each week. When you look back at what you've accomplished, over a year, you will be amazed. It's an incredibly positive feeling.
5. I'm going to beat so-and-so no matter what I'm better than him. And there's no way I'll help him succeed he might beat me.
Problem: Competitiveness assumes that there is a small amount of gold to be had, and I need to get it before he does. It makes us into greedy, back-stabbing, hurtful people. We try to claw our way over people to get to success, because of our competitive feelings. For example, if a blogger wants to have more subscribers than another blogger, he may never link to or mention that other blogger. However, who is to say that my subscribers can't also be yours? People can read and subscribe to more than one blog.
Solution: Learn to see success as something that can be shared, and learn that if we help each other out, we can each have a better chance to be successful. Two people working towards a common goal are better than two people trying to beat each other up to get to that goal. There is more than enough success to go around. Learn to think in terms of abundance rather than scarcity.
6. Dammit! Why do these bad things always happen to me?
Problem: Bad things happen to everybody. If we dwell on them, they will frustrate us and bring us down.
Solution: See bad things as a part of the ebb and flow of life. Suffering is a part of the human condition but it passes. All pain goes away, eventually. Meanwhile, don't let it hold you back. Don't dwell on bad things, but look forward towards something good in your future. And learn to take the bad things in stride, and learn from them. Bad things are actually opportunities to grow and learn and get stronger, in disguise.
7. You can't do anything right! Why can't you be like ____ ?
Problem: This can be said to your child or your subordinate or your sibling. The problem? Comparing two people, first of all, is always a fallacy. People are different, with different ways of doing things, different strengths and weaknesses, different human characteristics. If we were all the same, we'd be robots. Second, saying negative things like this to another person never helps the situation. It might make you feel better, and more powerful, but in truth, it hurts your relationship, it will actually make you feel negative, and it will certainly make the other person feel negative and more likely to continue negative behavior. Everyone loses.
Solution: Take the mistakes or bad behavior of others as an opportunity to teach. Show them how to do something. Second, praise them for their positive behavior, and encourage their success. Last, and most important, love them for who they are, and celebrate their differences.
8. Your work sucks. It's super lame. You are dumb and I hope you never reproduce.
Problem: I've actually gotten this comment before. It feels wonderful. However, let's look at it not from the perspective of the person receiving this kind of comment but from the perspective of the person giving it. How does saying something negative like this help you? I guess it might feel good to vent if you feel like your time has been wasted. But really, how much of your time has been wasted? A few minutes? And whose fault is that? The bloggers or yours? In truth, making negative comments just keeps you in a negative mindset. It's also not a good way to make friends.
Solution: Learn to offer constructive solutions, first of all. Instead of telling someone their blog sucks, or that a post is lame, offer some specific suggestions for improvement. Help them get better. If you are going to take the time to make a comment, make it worth your time. Second, learn to interact with people in a more positive way it makes others feel good and it makes you feel better about yourself. And you can make some great friends this way. That's a good thing.
9. Insulting People Back
Problem: If someone insults you or angers you in some way, insulting them back and continuing your anger only transfers their problem to you. This person was probably having a bad day (or a bad year) and took it out on you for some reason. If you reciprocate, you are now having a bad day too. His problem has become yours. Not only that, but the cycle of insults can get worse and worse until it results in violence or other negative consequences for both of you.
Solution: Let the insults or negative comments of others slide off you like Teflon. Don't let their problem become yours. In fact, try to understand their problem more why would someone say something like that? What problems are they going through? Having a little empathy for someone not only makes you understand that their comment is not about you, but it can make you feel and act in a positive manner towards them and make you feel better about yourself in the process.
10. I don't think I can do this I don't have enough discipline. Maybe some other time.
Problem: If you don't think you can do something, you probably won't. Especially for the big stuff. Discipline has nothing to do with it motivation and focus has everything to do with it. And if you put stuff off for “some other time”, you'll never get it done. Negative thinking like this inhibits us from accomplishing anything.
Solution: Turn your thinking around: you can do this! You don't need discipline. Find ways to make yourself a success at your goal. If you fail, learn from your mistakes, and try again. Instead of putting a goal off for later, start now. And focus on one goal at a time, putting all of your energy into it, and getting as much help from others as you can. You can really move mountains if you start with positive thinking.
Ain't the lesson good?!
Elections!!!
The Iranian elections just got over with much fanfare, some are happy, maybe most disappointed. Not long ago, the world watched with bated breath as Barack Obama made history as the first black president of the United States of America! A group of people that were brought in as slaves to a foreign land has now brought forth from its bosom the most powerful man in the world. Closer home, a fiercely contested Indian elections yielded results that has brought a smile to every indian praying for moral government that will take the country ahead as an economic power to be contended with.
So much energy and resources are spend in choosing the right person to lead the nation and the people. Election is a powerful word and so often used in the Bible. The Bible keeps reminding that we are people created with a Godly purpose and not formed because God did not know what to do with His free time. We have been elected, chosen, called out by name to prepare the way of the Lord in these last days.
Its good to know God has elected us but how will i fulfill my calling? 2 Peter 1:10 says: "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternalkingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." What are "these things" that we need to do?
If we read a few passages above, we are to make every EFFORT to:
1. Add Goodness to the Faith we have when we received Christ into our life
2. Add Knowledge of God's Grace and Christ's Love to the Goodness
3. As you increase in Knowledge, let your words and deeds be Self Controlled under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our Counsellor.
4. Add Perseverence and Patience to Self Control
5. Let Godliness be revealed as you Persevere in the midst of persecution.
6. From Godliness comes Brotherly kindness as we cannot have compassion to our fellow humans unless Christ increases and we decrease.
7. From Compassion shall break forth Love that the World will see for they shall not come to God by your words but by your life that reflects the Love of God Alimighty who send His only Begotten Son to die for the world that the world that was in darkness shall receive Light which results in eternal life.
Are you elected? Doesn't matter if you are popular or not. The One who created the Heavens and the Earth calls you today. He says YOU are His AMBASSADOR. There is no debate beyond His word.
The question now is - are you ready for the task?
Shalom!
So much energy and resources are spend in choosing the right person to lead the nation and the people. Election is a powerful word and so often used in the Bible. The Bible keeps reminding that we are people created with a Godly purpose and not formed because God did not know what to do with His free time. We have been elected, chosen, called out by name to prepare the way of the Lord in these last days.
Its good to know God has elected us but how will i fulfill my calling? 2 Peter 1:10 says: "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternalkingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." What are "these things" that we need to do?
If we read a few passages above, we are to make every EFFORT to:
1. Add Goodness to the Faith we have when we received Christ into our life
2. Add Knowledge of God's Grace and Christ's Love to the Goodness
3. As you increase in Knowledge, let your words and deeds be Self Controlled under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our Counsellor.
4. Add Perseverence and Patience to Self Control
5. Let Godliness be revealed as you Persevere in the midst of persecution.
6. From Godliness comes Brotherly kindness as we cannot have compassion to our fellow humans unless Christ increases and we decrease.
7. From Compassion shall break forth Love that the World will see for they shall not come to God by your words but by your life that reflects the Love of God Alimighty who send His only Begotten Son to die for the world that the world that was in darkness shall receive Light which results in eternal life.
Are you elected? Doesn't matter if you are popular or not. The One who created the Heavens and the Earth calls you today. He says YOU are His AMBASSADOR. There is no debate beyond His word.
The question now is - are you ready for the task?
Shalom!
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